Pro athletes are physical specimens. They wouldn’t be where they are today if they didn’t stay in tiptop shape day-in and day-out. But the difference between in shape and in football shape is drastically different.
This is part of the reason the NFLPA fought so hard to cancel to the preseason; to have an ample ramp-up period for players to get acclimated to the physical demands of the game before the regular season. Since the entire offseason program was virtual, players saw canceling the preseason as the best chance to get into football shape and avoid injuries.
Still, only 14 padded practices with contact will be permitted between Aug. 17 to Sept. 6 — several days into training camp. In years past, padded practices began around the third day of camp. Once pads are on, players are fired up, and with it comes the intensity and pace of practice.
Without scrimmages and preseason, there will be no situation that will come close to mimicking regular-season game action and speed.
In 2019, 24 Steelers were injured throughout the season. Eight were placed on IR, 11 were questionable and 13 were out for one or more games. Injuries ranged from shoulders and backs to knees, feet and ankles. League-wide, ACL tears were suffered by 47 players, MCL tears occurred 109 times and lower-body, soft-tissue injuries (including hamstrings) came into play up to 610 times. All of this came with a traditional offseason — complete OTAs, minicamps and training camp.
Injuries are a significant concern during any season but none more so than in 2020. The Steelers (and all teams) work tirelessly to prevent them, but they’re something that, ultimately, cannot be avoided.
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